I'm sending out my very first manuscript today!! It's to a magazine called Babybug. It's the sweetest publication I think I've ever seen! It is for children between the ages of 6 to 24 months. I love that age! The magazine is "printed in large type on high-quality cardboard stock with rounded corners and no staples." It's also small, just the right size for little hands. Perfect!
I came across Babybug's requirements in my research, and one of the stories I had already written for small children fit quite perfectly! I had to take out 2 lines to meet their 4-6 sentence maximum. It can be very difficult to write a quality piece in such short parameters, but I think I have accomplished it.
How long do I have to wait to know if it's accepted? "Responds in 6 months."
When would I get paid if they decide to use it? "Pays on publication "
Name of the game? Patience.
Magazine Submission #1 - Babybug
Watch out children's literary world, here I come! I blog about lessons I learn while I write children's picture books and young adult novels. I've been doing a bit here and there for years when priorities allowed. I've recently been able to make larger time commitments, and I have a finished picture book that I'm preparing to attempt the publishing relm. My brain and journal hold so many more stories that are waiting to be hatched. I'll document tips, lessons and processes from conception through publishing (let's think positively, here), all on my blog for all to enjoy. What a beautiful adventure it is!
Deadline's Coming!!!
One of my stories or poems will be in the mailbox by tomorrow! Boy, oh boy this is harder than I thought it would be! I'm not giving up though! My first submission will be to a magazine. It somehow seems a little less scary, and I read that children's magazine's are a great place to start. There's so much to learn in the process. The lingo is a language of its' own; queries, mss, byline given. Hopefully when I'm ready to submit a manuscript to a book publisher, I'll know what I'm talking about. If I can get a story published before then, I read that it will help illustrate that I'm serious and professional. Hmmmm. "A Professional." I like that. Pretty soon, when someone asks me, "So what do you do?" I'll reply, "I'm a mother and an author." I'm still quite nervous about putting my words on someone's desk. Fear of failure anyone? Fear of imperfection? Oh yes, I suffer from these.
Watch out children's literary world, here I come! I blog about lessons I learn while I write children's picture books and young adult novels. I've been doing a bit here and there for years when priorities allowed. I've recently been able to make larger time commitments, and I have a finished picture book that I'm preparing to attempt the publishing relm. My brain and journal hold so many more stories that are waiting to be hatched. I'll document tips, lessons and processes from conception through publishing (let's think positively, here), all on my blog for all to enjoy. What a beautiful adventure it is!
Week 1 Topic: toy
Buddy’s Bunny
Buddy was having a great morning. Mom had made him eggs, pancakes and corn. Buddy’s favorite. He saw that it was sunny outside, so he thought he’d ride his bike after he finished eating.
Suddenly, Buddy paused. “Sunny! Aaaaaaah! Where’s my Sunny Bunny?!” Buddy cried out, nearly falling out of his chair. Buddy was worried about his special friend. He couldn’t remember where his bunny was!
“Where did you leave him?” his mother asked.
Buddy looked with worried eyes at his mom, “I don’t know!”
He had Sunny Bunny with him the night before. They ate dinner together, they brushed their teeth together, and they had story time together. Did someone take him? Did he need a vacation? Did he decide to go to somebody else’s house? Is he lost forever?
Buddy searched around the kitchen, no Sunny Bunny. “He must be in my room.” he decided.
Buddy ran like a blindfolded cat to his room! He looked around and then ran to his bed. He threw the blankets and sheets off his bed, no Sunny Bunny! He tossed the toys out of his closet, no Sunny Bunny! He flung his clothes from the carpet up in the air, no Sunny Bunny.
“Where could he beeeeeeeeeeee?!”
Buddy’s mom came to his bedroom door. Her eyes opened as wide as the great Grand Canyon when she saw Buddy’s room.
“You need to pick up your room.” she said, still in a trance from the mess.
“Mom, how can you think about cleaning at a time like this?!” Buddy exclaimed!
His mother’s eyes smoothed back to normal and she smiled. “I’ll help you find Sunny Bunny after your room is clean. I’ll even help you clean your room if you’d like.”
Buddy couldn’t see any other way to find Sunny Bunny, so he agreed. He put his pants, shirts, and stinky socks in the hamper. He put his sheets and blankets on the bed. His mom helped Buddy tuck them in, and there he was!
“Sunny Bunny!”
Buddy reached under his bed and pulled Sunny Bunny into the light. He squeezed Sunny Bunny with all his might in the biggest bunny hug ever.
“Mom,” Buddy said, “I’m missing my favorite army guy, General Pound. If I put away my toys, maybe I'll find him too!”
“That’s a great idea, Buddy.” She said with a smile.
Watch out children's literary world, here I come! I blog about lessons I learn while I write children's picture books and young adult novels. I've been doing a bit here and there for years when priorities allowed. I've recently been able to make larger time commitments, and I have a finished picture book that I'm preparing to attempt the publishing relm. My brain and journal hold so many more stories that are waiting to be hatched. I'll document tips, lessons and processes from conception through publishing (let's think positively, here), all on my blog for all to enjoy. What a beautiful adventure it is!
This Week's Topic: toy
I chuckled when I saw this week's topic on illustrationfriday.com. It's: toy
Now, for those not in the children's market, or even without children at home, this may be a more uncommon word. I have a playroom full of toys for my two boys, and certainly there will be toys in my stories. Appropriate for my first posting I suppose!!
My story regarding this week's topic, toy, will be posted by Saturday. Are you as nervous and excited as I am?
Now, for those not in the children's market, or even without children at home, this may be a more uncommon word. I have a playroom full of toys for my two boys, and certainly there will be toys in my stories. Appropriate for my first posting I suppose!!
My story regarding this week's topic, toy, will be posted by Saturday. Are you as nervous and excited as I am?
Watch out children's literary world, here I come! I blog about lessons I learn while I write children's picture books and young adult novels. I've been doing a bit here and there for years when priorities allowed. I've recently been able to make larger time commitments, and I have a finished picture book that I'm preparing to attempt the publishing relm. My brain and journal hold so many more stories that are waiting to be hatched. I'll document tips, lessons and processes from conception through publishing (let's think positively, here), all on my blog for all to enjoy. What a beautiful adventure it is!
My Blog's Current Purpose
I've created my blog for several reasons:
1. Practice - I'll be posting my practice writings including a weekly short story inspired by the word of the week on IllustrationFriday.com. It's a fabulous site for illustrators, and great for inspiration for me. If I chose my weekly word, it would be too contrived. Maybe I'll have a weekly suggestion from followers after things get rolling?!
2. Readers! - What good is having a story, if no one is around to read it? It will be so fun to share all that I'm writing and learning along the way.
3. Accountability & Motivation - Doing any self-motivated action that is sustainable, sometimes needs accountability. I will post goals and the results they produce. If I post that I'm going to submit a manuscript to a publisher, well I best do it!
4. Feedback - It will be helpful to know when I'm getting better! I don't expect to be a well-known children's favorite, award-winning author just yet. I wouldn't turn the job down, I just don't think I'm ready yet. So thank you for comments, critiques, and encouragement!
5. Enrich and Entertain - When people come to my blog to find out more about me and my stories, I want them to see that I enjoy writing. I want them to be able to sit back and enjoy a few minutes outside their busy world, and feel better going back into it. I want people to know they can go from not knowing a morsel about how to accomplish something, to being confident and proficient in that endeavor if they choose.
1. Practice - I'll be posting my practice writings including a weekly short story inspired by the word of the week on IllustrationFriday.com. It's a fabulous site for illustrators, and great for inspiration for me. If I chose my weekly word, it would be too contrived. Maybe I'll have a weekly suggestion from followers after things get rolling?!
2. Readers! - What good is having a story, if no one is around to read it? It will be so fun to share all that I'm writing and learning along the way.
3. Accountability & Motivation - Doing any self-motivated action that is sustainable, sometimes needs accountability. I will post goals and the results they produce. If I post that I'm going to submit a manuscript to a publisher, well I best do it!
4. Feedback - It will be helpful to know when I'm getting better! I don't expect to be a well-known children's favorite, award-winning author just yet. I wouldn't turn the job down, I just don't think I'm ready yet. So thank you for comments, critiques, and encouragement!
5. Enrich and Entertain - When people come to my blog to find out more about me and my stories, I want them to see that I enjoy writing. I want them to be able to sit back and enjoy a few minutes outside their busy world, and feel better going back into it. I want people to know they can go from not knowing a morsel about how to accomplish something, to being confident and proficient in that endeavor if they choose.
Watch out children's literary world, here I come! I blog about lessons I learn while I write children's picture books and young adult novels. I've been doing a bit here and there for years when priorities allowed. I've recently been able to make larger time commitments, and I have a finished picture book that I'm preparing to attempt the publishing relm. My brain and journal hold so many more stories that are waiting to be hatched. I'll document tips, lessons and processes from conception through publishing (let's think positively, here), all on my blog for all to enjoy. What a beautiful adventure it is!
The Beginning
The beginning. Actually, this has been in the making since I could spell my name, and for some people, it's still difficult! I've always lived in my imagination. I loved to dream up and write stories, and storytime is still one of my favorite parts about the library.
A long time ago in a lifetime far away, I wrote poetry and songs. I've always had a special place in my heart for children's stories. Then my beautiful life happened. About ten years ago I married my perfect mate, and we have two boys. A few years ago I made a goal to write a children's book. This year, I'm going to make it happen.
The not-knowing-how is what stopped me. I've been educating myself how to write and publish a book since about November of 2010. I've written a short manuscript that is almost ready to be sent out. I have no money to invest; only time, determination, a list of goals (to be determined), and a willingness to stick my neck out there in a trial-and-error fashion.
If you wish to join me on my adventures, I'll tell you tales and experiences. I'll get to practice, and you'll get to, hopefully, be entertained.
A long time ago in a lifetime far away, I wrote poetry and songs. I've always had a special place in my heart for children's stories. Then my beautiful life happened. About ten years ago I married my perfect mate, and we have two boys. A few years ago I made a goal to write a children's book. This year, I'm going to make it happen.
The not-knowing-how is what stopped me. I've been educating myself how to write and publish a book since about November of 2010. I've written a short manuscript that is almost ready to be sent out. I have no money to invest; only time, determination, a list of goals (to be determined), and a willingness to stick my neck out there in a trial-and-error fashion.
If you wish to join me on my adventures, I'll tell you tales and experiences. I'll get to practice, and you'll get to, hopefully, be entertained.
Watch out children's literary world, here I come! I blog about lessons I learn while I write children's picture books and young adult novels. I've been doing a bit here and there for years when priorities allowed. I've recently been able to make larger time commitments, and I have a finished picture book that I'm preparing to attempt the publishing relm. My brain and journal hold so many more stories that are waiting to be hatched. I'll document tips, lessons and processes from conception through publishing (let's think positively, here), all on my blog for all to enjoy. What a beautiful adventure it is!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)